Monday, 26 May 2008

Yep, this w/end's DIVAS cybercrop was all about sharing the LOVE - thanks everyone who dropped by here, appreciate it.

Just a quick post to show you my creations from this w/end ...

We had to use the same sketch for all 3 challenges but with different criteria - it was an awesome idea (thanks Diva DT - you girls rock).

1st one (Rach) was to use brown, blue and bling, the 2nd one (Vicky) which I didn't get around to doing sadly and one I would have totally loved was to use flourishes, and the 3rd one (Mel) was a boy/male LO using "he is ..." in the title and stars.

Vicky had a free online class on Sunday arvo to make her gorgeous little "see clearly" mini album - she did circles but I changed mine LOL as you can see ...

Go and check out the forum for all the instructions (dead easy) and piccies. They're so quick and easy and make great little keepsakes and gifts. I'm going to make more, just need to stock up on acetate sheets.

So there you go, please make sure you dont miss the next Divas CC (last w/end in June).

Sunday, 25 May 2008

This w/end is Divas Cyber Crop and Mel has set up the best challenge taking us right around Australia while sitting in front of the computer. We're blog hopping our way around and sharing the LURVE.

So thanks to all who've dropped in here. Nice to see you, come back again wont you - I'll have the jug on for a cuppa together!

So in other news ... I didn't make the top 10 over at Mystical for the Design Team comp. Slightly disappointed, who wouldn't be, but not upset because I knew it would be wonderful experience for me and I really enjoyed being challenged and inspired each week. Good luck to the 10 who made it through to the last 2 rounds.

Now though I can really concentrate on my entry for the Guest DT spot at my "home" - Divas.

Ok, I need to get scrapping for the Divas CC challenges now (same but different this w/end ... go check it out) so I'll post here again when I have something to show you.

Wednesday, 21 May 2008

My family are the reason I was first interested in scrapbooking – I was pregnant with Caitlin in 2004 when I started out with Creative Memories. I enjoyed it immediately but then found I needed more depth and creativity in my work and so moved over to the “dark side” as some say.When we finally got satellite broadband in January 2007 my scrapping world opened up immensely. I surfed numerous scrapping sites, browsed the galleries and online stores constantly and found endless inspiration. I joined some forums and started talking scrapping with other like minded people, and soon started participating in Cybercrops and other online competitions. It was such a boost to my scrapping ego and confirmation of my prowess when I won my first Cybercrop prize and since then (March 2007) I’ve won many more. It still amazes me sometimes that others think my work is “good enough” – I mean, I usually like my creations, but it’s so beautiful to share my work with others who like it too.I’ve submitted numerous LO’s to the 3 major scrapbooking magazines but as yet only 1 has been selected for publication (and I’m still waiting to see it in print 6 months from acceptance – grrr).Whilst preserving family history and memories in a beautiful and unique way is still my main focus, I have found scrapbooking to be a wonderful creative outlet for me. It gives me freedom to create in my own style and in my own way and I get a buzz out of it. And scrapping has also allowed me to form some very special, treasured friendships, both locally in person and online.Scrapping has also been an escape and sanity saver for me at times when things get tough with the kids – I had PND after Ciaran was born and found scrapping was a wonderful outlet and distraction from the waves of emotions and confusion I experienced.I’ve dabbled a few times with OTP things but recently discovered a real love for this side of scrapping including making mini albums and gifts for family and friends. I have a heap more projects up my sleeve if I can find the time to do them.So, 4 years after starting my scrapping journey I find myself creating this LO for a Design Team challenge for the Mystical Scrapbooks site. I have only recently found this site and was immediately made welcome. There was so much inspiration from everyone on the site and so much happening it seemed like a great opportunity to have a shot at the DT position and join in the fun. I’ve dreamed for a while now of having the honour of a DT position on a site so I initially thought I should just have a go for the experience of DT challenges and the like. Having now participated in 4 of the challenges set by Mystical I find myself hungering after the challenges and thinking hey, maybe I really could be good enough to be on the DT. I’ve been encouraged to look really closely at my work, try new things, share techniques and define my own style.I love colour, dimension and texture, overlapping different elements and trying to draw it all together. Flowers, bling, ribbon, butterflies and all those pretty things really inspire me too but they’re not so great on a boy LO so I chose linear styles, tearing, chipboard and other “stronger” embellishment for most of Ciaran’s pages.I’ve been greatly encouraged by the truly lovely comments the Mystical forum members have left on my LO’s and I have made a real effort to do the same. I see this as a very important part of being a member of an online scrapping community.

As you read last time I posted I'm having a shot at a DT position over at Mystical Scrapbooks and have now completed the first 4 weeks of challenges ... here are my creations for your viewing pleasure ...

Challenge 1 Part A - this LO is from a sketch we were given.

Challenge 1 Part B - to create your own sketch then do your own LO from it ...

Challenge 2 Part A - we had to show/teach a technique in the forum (I did back to basics - distressing - tearing, sanding, inking, edging, crumpling, using paint) then do our own LO showcasing the technique - I managed to incorporate all 6 techniques I demonstrated in my forum post on my LO.

Challenge 3 Part A - 12x12 LO, include technique/s from previous week (not own technique), journalling based and 2 photos of different sizes.

I did tea-bagging (flowers) and a textured frame (great for a canvas background too - dampen surface, crumple up tissue then soak them on with a 50/50 mix of water and PVA, then paint and decorate as desired), plus there's a wee bit of simple doodling and water colour there too.

Challenge 3 Part B - 8.5"x11" monochromatic LO with a handmade embellishment and using no more than 3 different product brands. I used bazzill bling on this one and my handmade embellishments are the stitched flourish (if that counts LOL) and the cut out flowers complete with kindy glitz and a pearl centre.

Challenge 4 Part A - double LO (I did a 12x24) using multiple photos and resuming your usual style PLUS include name, age, scrapping history, scrapping achievements and personal info that can be shared online. I did some hidden journalling wiht details about my scrapping history, achievements and why I'm taking this journey for a chance at a DT spot with Mystical). I'll post it seperately because I'll be putting a link to it over at the Mystical Forum.

Challenge 4 Part B - create a signature LO, one that is typically your style ...

I'm actually not entirely happy with this LO for this challenge - I thought alot about my "typical" style - colour, layers/overlapping, variety of embellies and textures and usually more than 1 photo - what do you think???

So that's my 4 weeks of challenges done and dusted. We'll find out this Sunday who made it to the top 10 ... wish me luck!!!

Thursday, 8 May 2008

First up, my creations from the Scrapbook Divas last CC on 25-27 April.Vicky's Challenge #1 ...

Rach's Challenge #2 - this is an altered CD which I made into a little hanging with my monogram on it. I have it hanging off a bookshelf beside my scrapping desk.

Community Challenge #3

And this LO is courtesy of Diva Rach's free online class on the Monday night of the CC.Thank you again my gorgeous friend for sharing your talents with us ... I love your LO.

Now I have a confession to make ... people who've read my blog know I visit a variety of online sites and do a few challenges and swaps here and there but Divas has, and ALWAYS will be my ONLINE SCRAPBOOKING HOME.But I've recently discovered this great site Mystical Scrapbooking and have been joining in over there with some challenges and a CC. This LO below is from the first May Sketch Challenge.

This LO is from one of April's challenges - to use girl colours on a boy LO ...

and this one is using boy colours on a girl LO ...

This LO is from a sketch from last w/end's CC ...

And this LO is for one of the CC challenges.

And a little secret to share ... I'm currently participating in the challenges for MYSTICAL MASTERS!!! They're looking for 2 new DT members at Mystical so I've registered and so far completed the first 2 weeks of challenges ... another 2 weeks/2 challenges to go before the votes from each week are tallied and the top 10 make it to the final 2 rounds where the current DT and owner will chose the winners.

I ummed and ahhed about entering the challenge, but then I thought why not. It will be great experience and I am fully prepared to actually NOT be selected. So far though I'm really enjoying it all ... wish me luck.